Ford announces broader 2011 Fiesta range

[vztrt]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25777A0004B3EC

All-new sedan, wider diesel choice and new auto headline Ford’s 2011 Fiesta
9 August 2010
By MARTON PETTENDY
FORD AUSTRALIA has revealed details of the facelifted 2011 Fiesta range it will import for the first time from Thailand in the final quarter of this year.

Representing the first upgrade for the all-new WS-series Fiesta launched here in January 2009, the WT Fiesta will be available in five-door hatchback and, for the first time, four-door sedan body styles.

As with the newly Thai-sourced Mazda2 built for Australia in the same joint-venture factory, the revised Fiesta will no longer be available in three-door hatch guise.

It will, however, be powered by an all-1.6-litre four-cylinder engine range, following the expansion of turbo-diesel variants in addition to the fuel-sipping Econetic five-door, which arrived here in December 2009 and will continue to come from Europe, and the elimination of exiting auto-only 1.4-litre petrol models.

Instead, a revised 89kW/151Nm version of the Fiesta’s current 88kW/152Nm 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve Duratec petrol four, which will continue to feature Ti-VCT variable valve timing, will be available with both a five-speed manual and, for the first time, Ford’s new six-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission in both the facelifted Fiesta five-door and new sedan.

It will be available as an option on all petrol variants of the 2011 Fiesta, except the Econetic, while both (CL and LX) versions of Ford’s first Fiesta sedan – which like the new Mazda2 sedan offers boot space of 430 litres – will be auto-only models.

The Euro-made, manual-only Econetic’s 1.6 Duratorq diesel engine will continue to offer 66kW and 200Nm while returning an Australian-benchmark fuel consumption rating of 3.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of just 98g/km, but the same engine will also be available in the flagship LX sedan, mid-range LX hatch and top-shelf Zetec hatch, which will follow the rest of the range on sale here in early 2011.

Matched like the Econetic only with a five-speed manual transmission (for now, there is no timetable for a diesel-Powershift version of the latest Fiesta), the 1.6 Duratorq diesel returns average fuel consumption of 4.4L/100km, while all other petrol manual Fiestas will continue to return 6.1L/100km.

No fuel consumption data is available for Powershift auto models, but expect them to match or better the efficiency of the current auto-only models powered by the outgoing 1.4 Duratec, which does not come with variable valve timing and returns 6.9L/100km with its standard four-speed auto.

As expected, production of the 2011 Fiesta in Thailand, which has a free trade agreement with Australia, has co-incided with an increase in standard specification, although pricing will not be revealed until closer to launch.

Exterior cosmetic changes are limited to new wheel designs, body-coloured bumpers for the WT Fiesta CL and subtly revised front bumpers, meaning our Fiesta won’t adopt the triangular Mazda2-look foglight bezels of the newly released North American version.

All Australian Fiestas will, however, be fitted as standard with electronic stability control, the potentially life-saving safety feature that is currently standard only on the Fiesta Zetec and available as part of an optional safety pack for base CL models and the midrange LX hatch.

Five airbags, ABS brakes and emergency brake assist will also be standard across the range, with seven airbags – including a driver’s knee airbag – to be standard on all but the entry-level CL models, which also score standard Bluetooth connectivity with voice control. All Fiestas will come standard with an aux-in connection for personal audio devices.

While a new range of nine exterior paint colours and three interior trim choices will be available, most changes apply to next year’s top-shelf Zetec, which will score a new sports suspension comprising specially tuned front struts, bushings and anti-roll bars, plus new sports front seats.

The expanded Fiesta line-up will be opened by the CL five-door and sedan, fitted as standard with the larger 1.6-litre petrol engine – matched with a five-speed manual gearbox in the hatch and the new Powershift auto in the sedan.

In detail, the base CL sedan and hatch will also come standard with ESC, new body-coloured bumpers, new-design wheel covers for its 15-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth with voice control, a six-speaker sound system, ABS brakes, air-conditioning, power front windows and mirrors, remote central locking and a ‘temporary mobility kit’ instead of a full-size spare wheel.

The midrange LX hatch and flagship LX sedan adds the option of a 1.6-litre diesel matched with a five-speed manual, plus side curtain/thorax airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, a warning function for both front seatbelts, cruise control, 15-inch alloy wheels and power rear windows.

Topping the 2011 Fiesta range will be the Zetec hatch, fitted as standard with new sports suspension, new sports seats, a new 16-inch wheel design and a new sports front bumper with honeycomb grille.

As we’ve reported, Ford Australia originally said it would release the facelifted, Thai-sourced Fiesta here in the first half of this year, including its first Fiesta sedan, which was revealed at China’s Guangzhou motor show in November 2008.

Thai production of the Fiesta sedan, which will be built for Australia at the same joint-venture Changan Ford Mazda plant in Thailand that now produces our facelifted Mazda2 hatch and sedan, is understood to have been delayed to co-incide with a worldwide midlife makeover for the Fiesta, which went on sale in the US for the first time this year.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/77387/fo...edan-variants/

Ford Fiesta range to expand with diesel and sedan variants
By Brett Davis | August 9th, 2010

Some revisions have been made to the current Ford Feista range which sees the introduction of a sedan variant due later this year. There will also be a diesel engine option available and a new six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Ford Australia will release these new options during the last quarter of this year.



The diesel option is available right now though, only in manual transmission form. The 1.6-litre, four-cylinder boasts average fuel economy figures of 4.4L/100km. The new engine also displaces 200Nm worth of torque, so it should have no trouble zipping around town or making long highway hauls. The diesel engine will be available in all other models in the Fiesta range by the year’s end (except the Zetec hatch, which will be available in diesel during the first quarter of 2011).

Also available for the first time later this year will be a larger sedan version for the CL and LX models. The sedan showcases the same dynamics as the current hatch fundamentals only it offers 430 litres of cargo space.



And then to top off the revisions, the Ford Fiesta range will be available with an all-new, Powershift, six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Unfortunately the new Powershift gearbox option won’t be available in the new diesel engine-equipped models. The new gearbox does offer the performance and shifting modes usually only seen in much larger, and more luxurious vehicles, so it’s a great addition to the 1.6-litre, 89kW petrol engine versions.

The new Powershift gearbox will be available as an option during the last quarter of this year as well.

[Fiesta God]

God the sedan is ugly.

Talk about take a good looking car (IMO) and turn it into something that looks so average.

Interesting to see how this affects re-sale value of the German-built Fiesta's ... despite Ford's assurances, it seems the build quality of all Thai-built Fords is not quite as high as those which come from Germany.

[dannyhilton]

All I can say if my car is safe! Being a Three-Door it should hopefully have some appeal when I trade in. We all knew kit was going to be improved, but this is very good. Seven airbags, about time! Can't wait to drive a diesel Zetec and a PowerShift Zetec too. Still, my car is safe from being traded in. Those sports seats do look much more supportive however. Good job Ford!

Will wait to see the sedan in the flesh before drilling it :-)

[russellw]

* 1.6-litre diesel power
* Sedan models join the hatch range
* New Powershift® six-speed dual-clutch transmission
* New equipment and features

Ford's popular Fiesta is undergoing a variety of enhancements, giving it even more to boast about – including an expanded diesel power option, the introduction of sedan models, and an all-new six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The funky Fiesta hatch took the Australian light car segment by storm when it debuted last January. Its popularity is set to grow further when the first models from the enhanced WT range are released later this year, offering small-car buyers even greater value, choice and style.

Expanded diesel range

Chief amongst Fiesta's changes is the expansion of diesel power beyond the popular ECOnetic model. This highly efficient 1.6-litre diesel engine is a bonus for Australian WT Fiesta buyers; it's torque-rich – 200Nm – and impressively fuel-efficient, consuming only 4.4-litres per 100km (combined cycle, ADR81/02).

Customers will be able to option this efficient diesel power unit in the Fiesta LX sedan, LX hatch or Zetec hatch (Zetec hatch will be available in Australia first quarter 2011). Partnering the diesel engine is a five-speed manual transmission.

A 1.6-litre petrol engine with manual transmission is standard across the updated Fiesta range (except ECOnetic, diesel; and CL sedan, auto). Its 89kW and 151Nm of torque adds even more driving fun. Like its new diesel sibling fuel consumption is also low, using 6.1-litres per 100km (combined cycle, ADR81/02).

Meanwhile, the impressive five-door Fiesta ECOnetic will continue as Australia's most fuel-efficient vehicle (3.7-litres per 100km, combined cycle ADR81/02).

Fiesta first: the new sedan

For the first time Australian Fiesta buyers will have the choice of a sedan model.

The WT Fiesta sedan captures the "energy in motion" design DNA of the model range while delivering flexibility for small-car buyers. The new sedan boasts an impressive 430 litres of cargo space, combining all of Fiesta's great features with exceptional carrying capacity.

The sedan body style will be available in both CL and LX models.

New Powershift® six-speed automatic transmission

An all-new six-speed automatic transmission also debuts in the updated Fiesta range. This technologically advanced transmission uses dual-clutch technology, a drivetrain feature normally found in much larger, more expensive vehicles. Its sophisticated design delivers the best of both worlds: the fuel economy and responsiveness of a manual and the convenience of an automatic.

The new Powershift® six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will be available with the standard-fitment 1.6-litre petrol engine.

New features

Fiesta's trademark value will now be even greater thanks to a number of equipment enhancements.

All WT Fiesta models will come fitted with Ford's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard, a feature previously available on CL and LX models as part of the Safety Pack. In fact, all WT Fiesta models will pack an impressive safety arsenal, which includes up to seven airbags (five for Fiesta CL), ABS braking, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and traction control.

On the entertainment front, the funky WT Fiesta CL will come fitted with Bluetooth®1 partnered with voice-control technology. All models feature MP3 and AUX input connections for personal entertainment devices.

A new sports suspension system will underpin the sporty WT Fiesta Zetec hatch (available in Australia Q1 2011). This combines specially tuned front struts, bushings and damper stabiliser bars to enhance driving performance. Holding Zetec drivers firmly in place will be new sports front seats.

A number of subtle exterior design changes further enhance Fiesta's kinetic design and include new wheel designs and, in the case of the WT Fiesta CL, body-coloured bumpers.

The WT Fiesta also gains an exciting new colour and upholstery palette, comprising nine paint colours and three interior trim choices.

At a glance: WT Ford Fiesta new equipment

In addition to the introduction of a sedan variant for CL and LX models, the following new equipment has been added to the WT Fiesta range.

- Fiesta CL

* Larger 89kW 1.6-litre Ti-VCT engine standard
* Powershift® six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (optional on CL Hatch, standard on CL sedan)
* Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* Driver's beltminder
* Passenger beltminder (included with optional Safety Pack)
* New body-coloured bumpers
* New wheel design
* Bluetooth® with voice control
* Six-speaker sound system
* Stowage compartment under front passenger seat
* Temporary Mobility Kit

- Fiesta LX
Same as Fiesta CL but also includes:

* 1.6-litre DV6 diesel engine with five-speed manual transmission (optional)
* Side curtain/thorax airbags and driver's knee airbag with driver and passenger beltminders
* New wheel design

- Fiesta Zetec
Same as Fiesta LX but also includes:

* All-new sports suspension
* New sports seats
* New Zetec wheel design
* New sports front bumper and honeycomb grille

At a glance: WT Ford Fiesta model range



* 1.6l diesel with 5-speed manual optionally available
** Powershift® 6-speed dual-clutch automatic optionally available
1 Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc., and is used under licence.

Source: Ford Media

[GoesLikeAZetec]

will be cool to see the 6speed auto and 5 speed manual in a head to head for the differences!

and it needs the extra gear to drop the rpm at hwy speeds

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...809-11sux.html

Ford's Fiesta gets the boot
RICHARD BLACKBURN
August 9, 2010 - 3:01PM

Ford will release new diesel and sedan variants of its Fiesta hatch later this year.

The Ford Fiesta range will get a sedan variant, a safety upgrade, a new diesel engine and a dual-clutch automatic transmission when production of the hatch switches from Europe to Thailand later this year.

Ford hasn't yet announced pricing for the expanded Fiesta line-up, but it is expected the company will take advantage of the cost savings associated with the plant switch to keep prices at current levels.

Unlike the current European-built models, the Thai-built Fiestas won't attract a 5 per cent tariff because Australia has a Free Trade Agreement with Thailand.

Ford will also dump its less powerful 1.4-litre automatic model from the line-up as part of the shift to Thailand.

At the moment, the company is in the unusual position of having manual and automatic versions of the Fiesta with different engine sizes, but from the fourth quarter of this year the range will switch entirely to a 1.6-litre engine.

Ford has also made side and curtain airbags, as well as stability control, standard equipment on every model except the cheapest CL variant. Curtain airbags were previously not available on any model.

The new 1.6-litre diesel engine puts out 66kW of power and 200Nm of torque and uses just 4.4 litres of fuel per 100km, compared with 6.1 litres per 100km for the petrol Fiesta.

The diesel will be available on the LX sedan and hatch as well as the more expensive Zetec hatch.

The dual-clutch transmission, which has quicker shifts and uses less fuel than a traditional torque-converter automatic, will be available on sedan and hatch versions of the CL and LX. But it won't be available on the diesel Fiestas.

The new sedan will be available in CL and LX trim only and will have a sizeable boot for a city car, with its 430 litre capacity rivalling some compact SUVs.

From early next year, the Fiesta Zetec will get a new sports suspension set-up, as well as cosmetic changes including new sports seats, a new wheel design and new bumper and grille.

The CL and LX also get subtle exterior styling changes.

The Ford move mirrors a similar change to production of the Mazda2 - which shares its underpinnings with the Fiesta - earlier this year. Mazda also introduced a sedan version and added extra safety equipment for no additional cost.

[dannyhilton]

Larger 1.6L engine? I know our Fiesta models currently have 88kw, but maybe they've given the engine some more balls. Mmmmm, sports suspension and sports seats are tempting. The CL is bloody packed now, full of kit. No Soho trim anymore though, so my car is a speciality now!

[Gaz]

Why does ford always give mixed bag options.

Just give us the option of the good auto or manual across the range FFS.

You've got 3 levels of equipment in a ~5k price range, DSC auto on the base model, but manual only on the zetec?

Let us choose ford!!

[shroomies49]

Ahhh there is the auto option accross the range =)

Only the sedan is auto only .. Everything else has the optional automatic except for the Eco

T

[Fordman]

Everyone i talk to dislikes the sedan, have to say i agree, the hatch is class leading though

[csv8]

Where's the Titanium???????

[Gaz]

Ok, seem's some wording in there was a bit confusing...

"The dual-clutch transmission, which has quicker shifts and uses less fuel than a traditional torque-converter automatic, will be available on sedan and hatch versions of the CL and LX. But it won't be available on the diesel Fiestas."

That seems to say the zetec doesn't get the 6sp, but the table disagrees.

I haven't seen exact breakdowns of models, but with the upgrades to the cl now I reckon we could do with 2 levels, LX and zetec (just prefer LX badge over cl, sounds better).

[Seduce XR6]

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Conte...YPage&site=FOA

[Fled74]

Originally Posted by csv8

Where's the Titanium???????

For that matter, where's the ST???

[WASP]

Great to see the death of the horrid 1.4 auto combo. Spoils what is a fantasic little car. The 1.6-litre diesel engine behind the 6 speed auto I imagine will be a class leading, ripper combination.

For me one question still remains. One thing my wife and I have noted and been impressed with is the build quality and overall solidness of her WS Zetec, very typical of many small euro built cars. With the move to Thai-built Fiestas, I ponder how this will effect things. Our past South African built LS Focus certainly had some build quality issues (mainly paint finish) compared to the euro built LS XR5 which was noticably better.

[dannyhilton]

Funnily enough the new Ti-VCT engine makes 89kw at 6300rpm vs 88kw at 6000rpm of the current Ti-VCT engine. The torque too has changed, now 151nm at 4300rpm vs 152nm at 4050. I know which one I'd rather. Seems the auto and manual have the exact same specs as each other, and they match up exactly with the US specs. Engine size however stays the same, apart from a few bore and stroke changes.

The Zetec is very attractive with a diesel and new auto option. Can't wait for prices now!

[dannyhilton]

The rear drum brakes are now 10mm narrower, as apposed to the WS's 40mm. Front passenger seat 'shoe storage' box has been added too. I think the Zetec models sports suspension is the same as the UK models Zetec S. Has the same wheels now too. Not sure if it's an error with their pictures, but the Zetec finally has blacked-out projector headlights?

Wow I need a girlfriend!

[Gaz]

Ford website doesn't sync with the above table... according to website on the CL sedan and hatch have a 6 speed auto option.

Diesel is manual only too?


Will wait to see what the ford website brings when they get it updated.

[shroomies49]

Hey Gaz

If you read post #5 there is a table down the bottom with some ** at the end on the transmission options

The CL Sedan is Auto only whereas all the Hatches have options of both Auto and manual, apart from the Econetic(diesel only) witch is manual only

Cheers
Tenille

[JClarke]

Originally Posted by Fled74

For that matter, where's the ST???

In that case, where's the XR4????

[fiestars]

no ST/XR4 no 3 door? i guess i aint upgrading any time soo

[kiwijohn42]

Originally Posted by fiestars

no ST/XR4 no 3 door? i guess i aint upgrading any time soo

+1, Crosses fingers for ST/XR4

[msnealo]

This makes me sad. My 1.4l auto resale just bit the dirt. :(

[golden]

I would like to have seen a shorter ratio gear box for the Zetec as the WQ had, made a big difference to the zippyness, Maybe on the next make over.
Cheers

[FPV8U]

XR4 A6 would have Me & the Mrs Keen, then again we are looking at that many different cars already it's hard to decide.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

XR4 A6 would have Me & the Mrs Keen, then again we are looking at that many different cars already it's hard to decide.

Just curious to know why you would want an auto in the XR4?

If an auto is your thing then would the Zetec not fit the bill?

[dannyhilton]

I highly doubt they will do the ST/XR4 in anything other than three-door manual. However, that's before Ford got their act together stateside, now I'd expect a five door auto too as this would work well in the US. Be suprised if the UK get this, but seeing as production is moving to Thailand we could very well could.

Either way, the ST is on it's way...

[GoesLikeAZetec]

I want a 5 door ST!!!!! Being a 3 door is surely one of the biggest reasons the last one didnt sell as well as they hoped I reckon... I looked at the XR4, but two doors rules out anyone with family/kids... Shame really..

[kiwijohn42]

Surely the German factory will keep pumping them out for Europe.